Australasia & Pacific

Beautifully remote: Acker's House, the island's oldest building

Stewart Island: A lonely land of myth and wild wonders

New Zealand's third-largest island offers a glimpse into the past

Inside Australasia & Pacific

An ocean of possibilities: The South Pacific islands of Tahiti have it all

Saturday, 6 March 2010

Lush landscapes, warm waters and a party on every beach – with added French panache

An eco-tour in Queensland's wildlife-rich rainforest

Sunday, 28 February 2010

Drunk parrots, glowing gnat larvae and leathery fruit bats are the highlights of Cathy Pryor's trip.

Book up: Melbourne's novel story

Saturday, 13 February 2010

The former hub of Australia's gold rush is now a City of Literature as Lonely's Planet's Tony Wheeler reveals...

Best for sun-worshippers: Bondi Beach

Saturday, 6 February 2010

I once spent six months working in television in Sydney, and that's when I first visited Bondi Beach. Back then, it was a bit unloved – there was nowhere to eat and the beach was run-down and grubby. In spite of its close proximity to the city centre, Bondi just wasn't fashionable. Nowadays, things are very different – the neighbourhood has been reinvented and Bondi has become the most vibrant beach in Australia; perfect for a fun weekend break from the city. The combination of a beautiful bay, golden sands and a cosmopolitan crowd ensures that this is a beach for everyone – surfers, serious swimmers, hikers, sunbathers and families enjoying communal picnics. Once frequented by backpackers, junkies and down-and-outs, the cleaned-up, restored Bondi is chic, and boasts, among other things, award-winning chef Sean Moran's Panaroma on Campbell Parade, a great neighbourhood restaurant where he offers organic produce, delicious roast chicken and fresh fish, all served simply. Think River Caf�, Aussie-style.

Best for far-flung thrills: New Zealand

Saturday, 6 February 2010

There's a flock of noisy kakas on my front lawn, quarrelling over some croissants left over from breakfast. A few hours ago, I saw baby carpet sharks bobbing offshore, and a blue penguin gliding through the emerald waters. Tonight, who knows, I might spot a kiwi.

On The Road: Soaking up desert life in Alice Springs

Saturday, 6 February 2010

Alice Springs is greener than I expected. As you fly in you can see the red desert pocked with trees, the organic lines of forgotten riverbeds crossed with straight dirt trails. The aerial landscape seems to mirror the dotted style of the indigenous artwork in this part of the world.